Defenders love to talk about scoring. Shelby Dunlap just lets the scoreboard do the talking. This week’s Wildcat of the Week, Dunlap logged a goal and an assist in the Chico State women’s soccer team pivotal 2-0 win at Humboldt State Friday, part of a road sweep that secured the Wildcats’ sixth California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division title in eight years.
Dunlap, moved from the defensive position she filled for the first two and a half seasons of her collegiate career six matches ago, has tallied three goals and three assists over the span, helping the Wildcats scratch out five straight wins to cap the regular season.
Friday the junior from Livermore assisted on the first goal and scored the second.
Dunlap’s cross and freshman Alyx Williams’ finish at the far post gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute. She scored in the 54th minute, making her way into a passing lane for Lisa Webster, who drew a pair of defenders at around the six-yard box before dropping a pass back to Dunlap. Her blast from close range tickled the twine for a 2-0 lead.
Now Dunlap and the Wildcats are tickled to be playing in the postseason. They open CCAA Championship Tournament play Friday at 11 a.m. against Cal State L.A. The Golden Eagles beat Chico State 1-0 earlier this season, but that was before Dunlap stopped dreaming about scoring, and started doing it.
